LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, November 17, 2014

iPod Photos


The first day of our daughter's visit, she and I drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the East.  I had my usual Nikon SLR with me and also my latest generation iPod.  I took photographs with both cameras and I must admit I was quite surprised at the quality of the iPod photographs.  So all of these pictures were taken with it.  How easy it is to stick in one's pocket, pull it out and shoot.  Makes me wish all the more that we had cell phone service at our house so I could have an iPhone.  But we are in a tiny "no bar" reception area.

Our first stop was at Craggy Gardens, best known for the gorgeous rhododendrons blooming profusely in the early summer.  At this elevation, most of the color was gone from the trees.  But it was one of the most clear days we have seen in quite a while.  And we were enjoying almost record-high temperatures.


Across the road from the visitor's center




We continued our drive, going higher and higher in elevation all the while.


 The distant mountains were gorgeous




 We arrived at Mt. Mitchell, highest point in NC
In fact, the highest point east of the Rockies



 We stopped for lunch at the restaurant near the top of Mt. Mitchell.  The food was good and our waiter was hilarious.  He called us "doll babies" and if you could have seen him and his drag-queen mannerisms you wouldn't have minded it either.  Daughter felt like a teenager among the old folks.  Most unfortunately, I felt right at home.

 Filled with a delicious lunch and enjoying the rockers in the warm sun.
The lady standing behind was breathing hard and leaning heavily on her cane.
But not one of those old farts was about to give up a seat.


 Descending a few thousand feet in elevation, we found plenty of color.  Gorgeous color.  That's one of the best things about living in the mountains...a twenty mile drive makes a huge difference in the Autumn color.



We spent every driving on mountain roads.  And the weather was perfect.  I still sort of miss my old (ten years old in fact) car, but my new one really does love the mountains even more than the old one did.  It has four turbo modes and goes effortlessly up the mountain inclines.  The more I drive it, the better I like it.



15 comments:

Arkansas Patti said...

I have a feeling that for the average person that the camera will soon be obsolete. Those smart phones are so handy and take great pictures.

Carolina Linthead said...

Thank you! Just...thank you <3 I still lug around my dslr with big honkin' zoom...because you never know what you might see driving through rural OH, but the whole time I lived in the mountains, I pined for a good wide-angle lens for my film slr. Now everybody has a wide-angle lens, and it's great!

Carolina Linthead said...

With your forbearance, a second observation: I walk with a cane much of the time these days because of a finicky sciatic nerve that makes me feel uncomfortable without the prop. It is AMAZING how few people out and about will offer the least help with a door, give up a seat in a restaurant waiting area, etc. Just amazing, and sad.

Ms. A said...

Ooooooh, the pictures turned out great! No iPod here... and I still have an old flip phone... but I DO have cell service! LOL! We still use a landline, too! Our kids call us old school.

Anonymous said...

Your iPod takes great photos. Really quite impressive. The drive up that mountain road is gorgeous. What a wonderful way to spend time with your visiting daughter. It always blows my mind when people don't notice other folks around them. Self-absorbed and out to lunch (literally and figuratively!).

The Bug said...

Glorious!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gorgeous... We were at Craggy in August --but didn't get back to that area nor to Mt. Mitchell this Fall. As you know, we did get to the Maggie Valley area in October and saw some gorgeous colors on the parkway as well as Highway 215.

How's the new fireplace doing? Ours is WONDERFUL--especially now with so much frigid weather already... Gosh--what happened to Fall??? Looks like we are in for a long winter.

Hugs,
Betsy

Busy Bee Suz said...

The smart phones do take lovely pictures. For printing and 'blowing up' purposes I think we'll always need an SLR/DSLR type. I'm so thrilled you had a lovely visit with your daughter!!!
I'm annoyed at the old farts not giving up a rocker for the elderly lady.

KB said...

What a great visit with your daughter. And the iPod did do a lovely job! Such beauty...

We are also in a small area with no cell reception. We are considering getting a cell phone booster and antenna because people without smartphones seem to be being left behind! I've never taken a photo with a phone :)

Vicki Lane said...

Wonderful pictures! Sounds like a nice little road trip.

Tara said...

You live in such a glorious area. Your photos make me want to hop a plane right NOW.

I love iPhone photography --- have you tried any of the editing software ? Pretty amazing.

troutbirder said...

Wonderful photos for sure...

troutbirder said...

Wonderful photos for sure...

Elizabeth said...

Love the pics !

Ginnie said...

Thanks for the wonderful photos. I have seriously thought about moving out of NC after the last elections. I feel like our State is back where it was in 1978 when we first moved here but it's hard to beat the scenery!!